Bensoni

The seventies continue to be a rich font of inspiration for designers, with Benjamin Channing Clyburn and Sonia Yoon taking a big sip from the Me Decade for Spring. But for every reference to the past, the duo balanced it out with a nod to the future. The forward thinking was precipitated by Yoon's recent engagement, but the resulting looks were more galactic babe than blushing bride. But first, back to the seventies. The daytime looks were uniformly long and loose. The opener, an ankle-skimming button-fly acid-washed denim skirt unbuttoned past the knee, looked like printed silk and had none of denim's usual heft. Paired with a delicate tie-back racer in an abstract feather print, it set the tone for a confident and well-edited outing. Given their knack for digital prints, it's no surprise Clyburn and Yoon got in on the print-on-print mix many designers have been championing of late. They pulled off the mash-up with aplomb: A long chiffon dress with vertical pleats had fresh horizontal stripes in gray and peach down below; it made for a nice contrast with more of that feather print up top.

For night, long hemlines got the ax. Pops of acid green and neon pink replaced the taupes and nudes. Organza pleats on the skirts were kitted out with whorls of shredded lace; all the short, bright, and pleated party gear had an appropriately exuberant spirit. Before the presentation, Clyburn and Yoon said they'd been encouraged to take risks this season—they're extremely young, after all—and it's safe to say the gambit paid off. It will be exciting to watch this pair continue to find their voice in seasons to come.